Do Electric Fireplaces Use a Lot of Electricity?

Do Electric Fireplaces Use a Lot of Electricity?

We see so many misconceptions regarding electric fireplace power consumption. So, do electric fireplaces use a lot of electricity? Not nearly as much as you’d think. In fact, you might not even notice it on your monthly energy bill.

Of course, it depends on the unit itself and how you run it. We’ll help you set your expectations below and introduce you to the best selection of energy-efficient electric fireplaces, right here at The Great Fire Company. Shop the best electric fireplace models from the most trusted brands!

Fast Facts

 

Flame Only

Low Heat

High Heat

Wattage

~100W

~750W

1,500W

Hourly cost*

~$0.02

~$0.12

~$0.24

Daily cost (4 hrs)

~$0.08

~$0.48

~$0.96

Monthly cost (4 hrs/day, 30 days)

~$2.40

~$14.40

~$28.80

Electric fireplace efficiency

Nearly 100%

Nearly 100%

Nearly 100%

*Based on national average electricity rate of $0.16/kWh. Your local rate may vary.

How Electric Fireplaces Operate

Before we get into the conversation of electric fireplace efficiency, we need to take a step back and talk about how they actually work. These aren’t like your old wood-burning fireplace, or even like a gas fireplace. There is zero flame. Yet, there is heat. We’ll explain.

Heating Methods

So, how do electric fireplaces give off heat? It’s usually fan-forced heating. A blower pushes warm air from an internal heating coil out into the room. Kind of like a space heater. 

Some models use infrared quartz heating instead. That sends out radiant heat towards objects and people rather than actually heating the room. You can learn more about a basic electric fireplace vs infrared fireplace in our blog.

At any rate, electric fireplaces produce real, measurable warmth. They aren’t going to heat your entire house. But they work just fine for supplemental heating, be it a living room, bedroom, lobby, or outdoor patio. They put out around 5,000 BTUs, which is enough to warm 500 square feet of space.

One key piece of context you should take away from this: heating method doesn’t have any impact on how much electricity the unit draws. A 1,500-watt infrared fireplace and a 1,500-watt fan-forced fireplace are pulling the same power from the wall, and thus, cost the same to run.

Flame Effects

There aren’t real flames in an electric fireplace. They’re visualizations. But this isn’t the deal-breaker it used to be. Flame effects have gotten super realistic over the years. You wouldn’t know the difference from far enough away!

Flames can be simulated through a number of technologies - LED lights, mirrors, and refracted light work together to create something that looks just like the real deal.

It depends on the fireplace you go with, though. Dimplex’s Revillusion and Optimyst lines, for example, use water mist and holographic projection. They’re widely considered to be the most realistic electric fireplaces on the market right now. 

The beauty of an electric fireplace is you can operate flames and heat independently from one another, enjoying the vibe a fireplace brings without the warmth. Run it in the dead heat of summer just for the ambiance. 

But, do electric fireplaces use a lot of electricity in flame-only mode? Nope. It will barely make a dent in your energy bill. Let’s take a closer look at electric fireplace power consumption below. 

Do Electric Fireplaces Use a Lot of Electricity?

The short answer is no - electric fireplaces do not need a lot of electricity. So don’t let that be a sticking point if you’re on the fence about bringing one of these into your home. It’s not only affordable upfront but also affordable to run. 

Typical Electric Fireplace Power Consumption

So how much power do electric fireplaces need, then? We’ll get into some of the specific factors affecting power draw in a moment. But for now, just know that 1,500 watts is the highest heat setting on a standard electric fireplace. 

That’s only 1.5 kilowatt-hours (kWh) for every hour of use. Translation: $0.24 per hour you run the fireplace at full output. Give or take a little depending on your local energy rates.

You can drop the heat setting and cut the cost in half. Run the flames and you won’t even see it in your energy bill. So, do electric fireplaces use a lot of electricity? NOPE!

Comparison With Other Electric Appliances in Your Home

It might help to compare the electric fireplace efficiency to other appliances you already have in your home. Here’s a quick breakdown to put it into perspective:

  • Central air conditioning: 3,000-5,000W
  • Electric water heater: ~4,500W
  • Clothes dryer: 4,000-5,400W
  • Oven (electric): 2,000-5,000W
  • Hair dryer: 1,500-1,875W
  • Space heater: 1,500W
  • Refrigerator: 100-400W (cycles on and off all day, every day)

Your water heater, dryer, and AC all pull at least 2-3x the power an electric fireplace needs. And you don’t think twice about using those appliances. It’s easy to justify the electric fireplace electricity cost when you look at it in this context. 

What Affects Electric Fireplace Power Consumption? 

We said a moment ago there’s no one-size-fits-all answer on electric fireplace power consumption. That’s why we usually encourage our customers to connect with our team for one-on-one support. We can help you better set your expectations this way.

In the meantime, there are two things you need to account for as you run the numbers in your head:

Size

Obviously, a 36-inch electric fireplace will take a little less electricity than a 72-inch electric fireplace. It’s half the size. That means smaller components for flame effects and smaller heating elements.

We also have some massive commercial-grade electric fireplaces that plug into a 240V outlet rather than the standard 120V outlet. Those definitely suck more power than residential models, but we have a feeling that’s not what you’re here for. 

Setting

This is the biggest variable influencing electric fireplace power consumption. Are you running it in flame-only mode? Low heat? High heat? Each takes a different amount of electricity. 

We talked about this already, but high heat costs double what low heat does. Flame-only mode is a blip on the radar. There are ultra-energy-efficient electric fireplaces that have an integrated thermostat to cycle the heater off once your room reaches the target temperature, too.

A Quick Word on Electric Fireplace Efficiency

We get asked often, how efficient are electric fireplaces? 100%. Meaning, every watt of electricity is allocated towards heat production. No waste, whatsoever. 

This is one of the bigger differences between a gas vs electric fireplace. Whether it’s natural gas or propane, gas fireplaces lose anywhere from 20-50% of their heat energy through venting. Wood-burning fireplaces lose even more. 

So, do electric fireplaces use a lot of electricity? No - and the electricity they do use is being used as efficiently as possible. You get maximum value out of every dollar you spend on your energy bill!

So, How Much Does it Cost to Run an Electric Fireplace?

Let’s put the electric fireplace efficiency rating into dollars and cents. It’s actually a pretty simple calculation. You’ll take the wattage, divide it by 1,000 to get kilowatts, and multiply by two other numbers - your local electricity rate (per kWh) and hours of use.

Here are a few examples based on a 1,500W fireplace and the $0.16/kWh national average:

  • 1 hour: ~$0.24
  • 4 hours per day: ~$0.96/day, or roughly $29/month
  • 8 hours per day: ~$1.92/day, or roughly $58/month

Those are just rough estimates, as we don’t know what electricity costs where you live. It’s less in states like Louisiana and Idaho; more in states like California and Connecticut. But you can see just how affordable running an electric fireplace is. The example is assuming you’re running your fireplace on high heat, too, which may not be the case. 

Tips on Running an Electric Fireplace Efficiently

So, do electric fireplaces use a lot of electricity? Allow us to answer your question with a question - how are you running it? That’s the biggest lever you can pull to maximize the electric fireplace efficiency. Here are some tips on keeping costs down while still enjoying your fireplace:

  • Use the thermostat: Most models have one built in, so set a target temperature and let the unit automatically cycle the heating element on/off.
  • Use your fireplace for zone heating: You can avoid wasting money on your HVAC by just heating the room you’re hanging out in.
  • Flame-only when possible: This isn’t even going to show up on your energy bill, seriously. A few dollars a month.
  • Close doors and vents: You don’t want to waste any of that heat that goes out into the room. 

Choosing an Energy-Efficient Electric Fireplace

Your search for the most energy-efficient electric fireplace ends here at The Great Fire Company. We carry all the top brands and their latest models, always priced competitively and backed by exceptional customer service from A to Z.

Narrow it down by some of our most popular collections below:

Whether you’re interested in a Dimplex vs Napoleon electric fireplace, you’ll find the perfect model for your home or business here at The Great Fire Company. You don’t have to find it on your own, either. You can connect with our customer service team today for a personalized recommendation.

Closing Thoughts on the Electric Fireplace Power Consumption 

In closing, do electric fireplaces use a lot of electricity? The long and short of it is no. They’re 100% efficient in the sense that every amount of power they consume goes straight into heat production. You’ll barely notice the flame-only mode on your monthly energy bill.

It’s not hard to see why these are among the most popular types of fireplaces we carry here at The Great Fire Company. But we have gas models from all the best brands, too! This is your one-stop shop for a fireplace no matter what you’re envisioning. 

Reach out now for one-on-one support, and let’s put the right fireplace in your home. 

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to run an electric fire for 1 hour?

Almost nothing - literally a quarter on high heat (1,500W), and low-heat mode cuts that in half. Flame-only mode is pennies per hour. 

Do electric fireplaces run up the electric bill?

Not really. You’d have to run the fireplace all day, every day, to feel as if it were making a big hit on your energy bill. Running an electric fireplace on high-heat mode for four hours a day would cost less than $30 a month in electricity. 

Can I run my electric fireplace all day? 

Yes - there’s no reason that would be an issue if you are comfortable spending that type of money on your monthly energy bill. It’s not like it would be putting heat out into the room for 24 hours straight, either. Most electric fireplaces have overheating protection and automatic shut-offs. 

Are electric fireplaces safe? 

Yes. They’re actually the safest type of fireplace you can have in your home since there isn’t any flame, and thus, there are no combustion byproducts to worry about. You can install one with peace of mind.

What are the disadvantages of electric fireplaces?

They won’t work when the power goes out since they rely on electricity. There’s nothing like a real flame, either - although some of the models we carry here at The Great Fire Company are really close! The pros end up outweighing the cons for most families. 

Where can I find energy-efficient electric fireplaces? 

Look no further than The Great Fire Company. We stock all the top models from Dimplex, Napoleon, and all the other best brands in electric fireplace manufacturing. Most importantly, though, we back up our fireplaces with world-class customer service.

Back to blog